diabetic retinopathy

overview

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes and a leading cause of blindness. There are two types of diabetic retinopathy: nonproliferative and proliferative.

Nonproliferative retinopathy causes the retina to swell, leading to blurry vision. Eventually, this can progress to proliferative retinopathy, in which tiny blood vessels grow into the fluid that fills your eyeball. When these blood vessels break and bleed, it can cause severe vision loss.

Diabetic retinopathy can happen to anyone with diabetes, but it’s more common in people whose diabetes is poorly controlled.

services & treatment

Treatment depends on the type and severity of retinopathy. Your doctor will discuss the different options with you. One option uses lasers, which can help slow or stop the growth of blood vessels. Another option is a procedure called a vitrectomy, in which fluid from the eye (vitreous) is removed and then filled with replacement fluid. This can help prevent vision from worsening or even reverse blindness.

It’s also important to work with a diabetes specialist or other doctor to get your diabetes under control and prevent further damage to your eyes.

why Aurora?

Our ophthalmologists are on call 24/7, so if you have an eye emergency, we’re there to help.

We offer hundreds of specialists under one roof. If your doctor notices another health issue during your exam, like symptoms of diabetes, he or she can get you an appointment with another Aurora specialist right away.